Corrigendum to export incentive schedule: DEPB entry renumbered to 387A 387B 387C 387D, effective as stated.
Corrigendum amends the DEPB rates schedule for Engineering Product Code 61 by renumbering Sl. No. 387 to 387A, 387B, 387C and 387D, effective from 27-03-2008, issued under the authority of the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures and declared in the public interest.

Replenishment authorisation for duty free import of jewellery inputs granted based on export performance certified by a chartered accountant.
Replenishment Authorisation may be issued for duty free import of consumables, tools, machinery and equipment for jewellery on production of a Chartered Accountant certificate indicating export performance; entitlement is a percentage of the FOB value of exports of the preceding year-precious metals other than gold and platinum at two percent, cut and polished diamonds and jewellery made of gold and platinum at one percent, and rhodium finished silver jewellery at three percent.

Jurisdictional allocation for gem and jewellery export schemes updated; nominated agencies and authorised banks specified for implementation.
The Public Notice substitutes Appendix 1A in the Handbook of Procedures (Vol. I) to specify the jurisdictional allocation of Regional Authorities for administering Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Schemes and to publish the list of nominated agencies, including banks authorised by the Reserve Bank of India and specified branches of State Bank of India, as well as designated MMTC, HHEC and PEC offices and branches for scheme implementation.

DEPB benefits revoked for basmati rice exports under specified Miscellaneous Product entries, effective immediately across export authorizations.
The Schedule of DEPB Rates is amended to withdraw DEPB entitlement for basmati rice under Sl. No. 22C and 22D of the Miscellaneous Products (Product Group Code 90), so exporters of basmati rice are no longer eligible to claim DEPB benefits under those entries; the amendment is effective immediately under the Foreign Trade Policy and Handbook of Procedures authority.

Export benefits eligibility expanded to include specified soya product codes, with filing deadline extended per HBP procedure.
The notice adds five VKGUY product codes to Appendix 37A, Table 10 of the HBP Vol. I (RE2007), covering specified soya-derived export items with their ITC HS classifications and an indicated effective export date for benefit eligibility. It also prescribes that the last date for timely filing of applications for benefits for these items shall be the stated calendar cut-off or the period allowed under Para 3.19.1 of HBP Vol. I (RE2007), whichever is later.

Inclusion of hotel and tourism services added to services covered by Services Export Promotion Council under Foreign Trade Policy.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade amended the services covered by the Services Export Promotion Council by expressly adding Hotel and tourism related services to the list of eligible services, effectuating an expansion of categories qualifying for representation and promotion under the Foreign Trade Policy through an administrative Public Notice.

Sunset clause: Handbook compilations lapse on prescribed date while the DEPB scheme remains operative pending further orders.
Amendment under Paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy revises the last sentence of paragraph 1.1 of the Handbook of Procedures, Vol. I to provide that the Handbook compilations shall remain in force until a prescribed terminal date, except that the DEPB scheme shall continue to be operative until further orders.

Sunset clause amended: DEPB validity extended until further amendments under the foreign trade policy notification.
The amendment replaces the prior fixed expiry phrase in Public Notice No. 17 (RE-2007)/2004-2009 concerning DEPB with the words "till further amendments," thereby removing the previously specified automatic termination date and extending the notice's validity until amended.

Export benefit eligibility updated: new VKGUY product codes added, HS classification corrected, and filing deadline extended.
Amendments add VKGUY codes 10.30 for Shrimps and Prawns (ITC HS '030613' and '160520') and 10.31 for Cashew Nut Shell Liquid (ITC HS '13021920') with benefits admissible from 1.4.2007; correct the ITC HS code in VKGUY 10.28 from '080132' to '080131'; and extend the last date for timely filing to 30.9.2008 or the period allowed under Paragraph 3.19.1 of HBP Vol. I (RE-2007), whichever is later.

Amendment to Standard Input Output Norms updates chemical SION entries and adds new export-import input norms under FTP.
Amendment to the Handbook of Procedures, Vol.2 revises Standard Input Output Norms (SION) for Chemicals and Allied Products by correcting specifications and input-output quantities for listed SION entries and by adding new entries. Key operative changes include updating Gum Rosin specification to 90 2% abietic acid, revising import-input norms for products like MMDPA, caustic soda (solution and flakes), ferric chloride, synthetic rutile and liquid chlorine, and inserting new SIONs detailing inputs for buff-colour titanium dioxide, DDT 75% WP formulation, and isatoic anhydride.

DEPB rate suspensions temporarily remove specified engineering and chemical product entries and bar related miscellaneous benefits.
Specified DEPB entries for the Engineering Product Group and Chemicals Product Group are temporarily suspended, removing those product entries from DEPB entitlement with immediate effect. Corresponding adjustments in the Miscellaneous Products Group exclude products covered by the suspended engineering and chemical entries from claiming DEPB benefits under the relevant miscellaneous provisions, and additionally exclude non-basmati rice from DEPB entitlement under the specified miscellaneous provisions.

Conformity assessment body registration enables Singapore CAB certification to meet CECA electrical and electronic sector requirements.
Registration of M/s TUV SUD PSB Pte Ltd. as a Conformity Assessment Body in Singapore authorises certification recognised under the Singapore India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) for the Electrical and Electronic sector. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, as Designating Authority, issues the registration under powers conferred by the Foreign Trade Policy and related administrative order and formalises recognition by issuing a Certificate of Registration under the Mutual Recognition Agreement.

Inclusion of coffee under VKGUY list extends export benefits for specified coffee shipments effective from April.
The Handbook of Procedures, Vol. I (RE-2007) is amended to add Coffee, all types to the VKGUY list under the ITC Harmonized System classification, inserting a new VKGUY product code in Table 10 of Appendix 37A and specifying the date from which export benefits will be admissible, thereby extending eligibility for trade-policy incentives to coffee exports.

Standard Input Output Norms amendment changes permitted inputs for drill pipe exports under Handbook of Procedures.
Amendment to Standard Input Output Norms (SION) substitutes the norm for SION C-366 governing exports of drill pipes, prescribing the export product description and listing permitted import items with specified quantities and bases (for example, plain end seamless pipes; tool joint forgings/blank bars; coating material; hard banding material including exemplar products; tube metal), as replacement entries in the Handbook of Procedures (Vol.2).

SION addition: new input norm permits import of Brush Alloy for Contact tape exports under input-output norms.
A new Standard Input Output Norms entry, SION C-2045, is added authorising import of Brush Alloy (untinned) as the input for exports of Contact tape (Tinned), with an input allowance specified on a per kilogram basis; the amendment is issued under the Foreign Trade Policy and the Handbook of Procedures and inserted into the Handbook of Procedures (Vol.2) by public notice.

Ad-hoc Advance Authorisation for readymade garments permitted where fabric needs exceed standard norms; issuance and monitoring mandated.
Ad-hoc Advance Authorisations under Para 4.7 may be issued for readymade garments of textiles and leather where fabric requirements for a particular style, pattern or design materially exceed the applicable SION; the Norms Committee will finalise ad-hoc norms using CAD/CAM and lay markers, exports must state specific Style/Design/Pattern numbers and export obligations will be monitored accordingly, with those identifiers recorded on customs attested shipping bills and packing lists.

Allocation of raw sugar export quota to EU under Foreign Trade Policy, subject to existing public notice conditions.
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade authorises an additional allocation of raw sugar for export to the European Union under the Foreign Trade Policy for the 2007-08 export year, with all conditions and procedural requirements of the earlier public notices continuing to apply and the allocation issued in the public interest.

Export quota allocation for white sugar to EU designates a sole agency and prescribes EC certification for consignments.
The Director General of Foreign Trade allocates an export quota of white sugar to the EU for 2008-09, identifies the applicable Harmonized System classification, designates a single authorized export agency under the preferential quota regime, and prescribes the Special Certification entry to be recorded in EUR and GSP documents linking consignments to the applicable EC certification requirement.

Extension of export obligation block: regional authorities grant extensions subject to duty-saved payment; larger cases referred to HQ.
Regional Authorities are empowered to consider requests for extension of the Block of years for fulfilment of export obligation and may allow extensions on payment of 2% of duty saved on unfulfilled export obligation for each block for licences up to Rs.50 crores; cases above Rs.50 crores are to be forwarded to DGFT (HQ) for EPCG Committee consideration. The rule applies to all licences irrespective of date of issue and is effective from the date of the circular.

Import cutoff date for sandalwood applications set annually; late filings handled on first-come-first-served basis if quota remains.
Cutoff for filing applications to import sandalwood is fixed as the 31st of July in each licensing year; thereafter further applications will be processed on a first come first served basis provided the earmarked quantity has not been exhausted.